"Jayne Kennedy will tell you she never had a goal to be famous. She didn't set out to become friends with athletes like Muhammad Ali or inspire other broadcasters like Oprah Winfrey. She describes in a new memoir, "Plain Jayne," that she just wanted to be the same Ohio kid and sports lover her parents raised. But her mom's suggestion that she enter a pageant put her on an unexpected path."
"By 1978, when CBS Sports was looking to replace its sole female anchor on "The NFL Today," she went for it, but she still had barriers to break once she got an audition. KENNEDY: I knew immediately they were not looking for someone like me because there were 16 women. Fifteen were blonde. And so, you know, I kicked back and I said, I'm just going to have a good time."
"Kennedy focused on making friends during a mock interview with an athlete. Original "NFL Today" host Brent Musburger took notice. KENNEDY: We're laughing and talking and have a great time, and Brent Musburger stood up and said, it's Jayne or nobody. But they still didn't want to hire me because they were afraid the Southern affiliates would have an issue with that. SUMMERS: So she only got a six-week trial on the job to start."
Jayne Kennedy never sought fame and wanted to remain the same Ohio kid and sports lover her parents raised. Her mother's suggestion to enter a pageant began a public career. She became the first Black woman to win Miss Ohio and reached the Miss USA semifinals in 1970, which opened doors to on-screen roles and Hollywood connections. In 1978 she auditioned for CBS Sports' The NFL Today, faced mostly blonde competitors and regional resistance, and received a six-week trial despite Brent Musburger's strong support. She used personal relationships to secure prominent athlete interviews.
Read at www.npr.org
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